May 23rd


Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
न द्विषन्ति न याचन्ते परनिन्दां न कुर्वते ।
अनाहूता न चायान्ति तेनाश्मनोऽपि देवताः ॥

- सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार


Transliteration:
na dviṣanti na yācante paranindāṃ na kurvate ।
anāhūtā na cāyānti tenāśmano'pi devatāḥ ॥
- subhāṣitaratnabhāṇḍāgāra

Meaning of the subhAShita:
(They) do not hate, plead, offend others, or come uninvited.  Due to this, even stones are divine.

Commentary:
Extending from the fact that idols of deities are made from stone, the poet opines that the very reason for making these from stone is—their nature. By nature, the stones:
  • do not develop strong likes or dislikes towards anyone or anything. They do not have 'rāga dvesha' (likes and dislikes).
  • do not have any desires or attachments. They do not solicit others for favors or materials. They do not have 'moha' (delusionary attachment).
  • do not hurl insulting and demeaning words at others. (This happens when one has a big ego. He feels hurt and insults others.) They do not have 'ahankāra' (egotism/self-pride).
  • do not come uninvited (anāhūta)! (Well, a stone comes to a place only if someone brings it there. It won't come uninvited by itself anywhere!)
Hence, stones are like Gods because Gods have these traits. It is no surprise that idols are made from the very objects that emulate their characteristics!

Emanating divinity from oneself is as simple as not hating other beings, not begging or soliciting, not insulting others, and also not responding without being asked! 

pada vigrahaH:
न द्विषन्ति न याचन्ते पर-निन्दां न कुर्वते ।
na dviṣanti na yācante para-nindāṃ na kurvate ।

अनाहूताः न च आयान्ति तेन अश्मनः अपि देवताः ॥
anāhūtāḥ na ca āyānti tena aśmanaḥ api devatāḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
na dviShanti na yaachante paranindaaM na kurvate ।
anaahUtaa na chaayaanti tenaashmano.pi devataaH ॥
- subhaaShitaratnabhaaNDaagaara

na dviShanti na yaachante para-nindaaM na kurvate ।
anaahUtaaH na cha aayaanti tena ashmanaH api devataaH ॥

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